Rollin Through the ATL...

Has anyone other than me noticed that recently, it's become extremely trendy to refer to Atlanta as "The ATL"?? Of course because I'm hip and savvy, I'll do it too.

After Massachusetts, we "swung by" Georgia. My parents dropped me off there, probably thrilled to finally be rid of me, and I spent a few delightful days with some long time family friends. I can honestly say I have never been anywhere so humid in all my life. The air was so wet, I felt like I could actually lick it. I even tried, which ended with me probably looking like an idiot.



Tara and Andy and I grew up together. Our families are all close friends, and we've known each other for a long time. They got married, which is always cute in my book... marrying someone with whom you have a far-reaching history. If they loved you through high school, you've pretty much got it made, because people only get better from there, right? One of my favorite memories of Andy is playing "At This Moment" by Billy Vera, me on the piano and him on his sax. He was pretty good on the sax, which made me sound pretty good on the piano. My memories with Tara are so numerous, I could never even begin to list them all. I will say, however, there were times when both furniture and laws were broken, and now here we are, all grown up and responsible. There's hope for everyone.

Paul and Valerie are Tara's parents. If there is one thing I have been surrounded by in my life, it's good humor. Almost everyone I consider a dear friend has a remarkable ability to find humor in both good and bad times. This may be one of the most significant things that has shaped the person I have become. Paul and Valerie are no exception. As a matter of fact, they're probably just about at the top of the list. I blame them for at least 40% of the laugh lines currently etched into my face.


Tara and I had a great time catching up. We celebrated her birthday, and spent the day at a delightful art gallery in Marietta.

There was a semi-interesting Civil War exhibit,

and this piece of art which actually made me feel something. I am not really much of an art aficionado. As a matter of fact, given that I usually feel nothing when looking at most art, I may actually be an art aficionada. Ba-dump-bump! But this painting grabbed my heart. I felt like there were people I knew who could have been the subject of this piece, and there was emotion all over the canvas.

The time I spent with these friends went far too quickly, and every minute was filled with conversation, laughter, and appreciation for one another. It felt wonderful.

When I got to the the airport in THE ATL, I met up with blogger extraordinaire, LAUREN FROM GEORGIA. If you blog, you probably know Lauren, because she probably reads your blog. She also probably leaves the most flattering and observant comments you've ever received, which strokes your ego in such a way that you leave feeling both edified and conceited. It's a gift she has. Anyway. We spent several hours just visiting over lunch, and she was every bit as kind, generous and gracious in person as she is in blogland. It was great to finally meet her, and I was also pleased to verify her existence to the rest of my friends.

One more stop...and the chronicles are over. Which is good, because I really need to blog about how much money I saved on back-to-school supplies this year.